Distinct variety of Streptocarpus named Purple Martin

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Streptocarpus x hybridus plant is characterized by rapid and abundant production of unique two-toned violet flowers, and a compact plant habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus x hybridus Voss.) known by the name of Purple Martin. This selection was developed for the commercial greenhouse industry as a flowering potted plant. Purple Martin exhibits compact, vigorous growth, improved heat tolerance, and abundant flower production under progressive commercial practices. The flower color, shape and pattern offers a novel combination not previously available.

In 1978 an ideotype breeding program was initiated to improve the characteristics of Cape Primroses for commercial production. Weismoor Hybrids, J. Innes Hybrids, "Constant Nymph Series", Oglevee's Bavarian Bells, and cultivars of unknown origin were intermated using conventional breeding procedures. F₁ selections were selfed and the best progenies used as background parents for the ideotype. Breeding lines were established in each of the major color classes in the F₃ generation. Selection criteria included floriferousness, good foliage quality and symmetrical compact habit. The pedigree of Purple Martin is as follows: ##STR1##

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by leaf cuttings in the University of Wisconsin Department of Horticulture greenhouses in Madison, Wis., in 1980. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

This new cultivar was evaluated by a jury of industry specialists and professional plant breeders for aesthetic qualities, and screened though production trials for desireable propagation, production and flowering characteristics.

The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Madison, Wis. has a response time of about 10 weeks. This response time is measured from the potting of plantlets in a five inch pot to the time when the plant has six flowers. Anthesis was about 81/2 weeks after potting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new cultivar, the color being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The botanical description of the new cultivar follows. The data was collected from asexually propagated plants produced at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture. The plant histories were taken on 14-week old plants produced in a double-layered polyethylene greenhouse under natural light. Color readings were taken indoors under cool-white fluorescent light. Color references are those displayed in The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Botanical classification: Gesneriaceae (Family); Streptocarpus x hybridus (Genus x species).

Flower:

Size and shape.--73-76 mm Fully expanded, Corolla gamapetalous; 5-lobed, and distinctly bilabiate.

Borne.--Flowers are borne singly or in a branched cymose dichasium in clusters up to five flowers.

Color.--Top 2 petals clear Methyl Violet (39/1) with very thin darker penciling of (738) Victorian Violet on the extreme margins. Lower 3 petals Methyl Violet (39/1) overlaid with dark veins of Victorian Violet that coalesce into a Victorian Violet (738) outer throat. Throat -- Inner throat White with 2 distinct broad white lines flairing out into the Victorian Violet (738) throat. Reverse of Petals -- (636) Heliotrope.

Reproductive structure.--Ovaries -- 30 mm long and 11/2 mm diameter Stamens -- arise from base of petals and adnate for approx. 25 mm -- free for 6 mm. Anterior 2 stamens fertile with 2 lateral staminodes present. Stems -- 14-16 cm long; pubescent.

Foliage:

Size and shape.--Leaves oblanceolate with ruffled margins and crenate serrations. Approx. 10 cm wide and 18-22 cm long.

Color.--Top side (0960) Spinach Green with underside (09601) Green.

Plant:

Habit.--Leaves form a rosette from a crown at the soil line. Height from soil -- 18 cm. Spread of mature plant (8 months) 35-40 cm. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Streptocarpus substantially as herein shown and described. 